$358K in grants focus on trails, stormwater
Funding designed to implement Montco 2040 vision
Another round of grants designed to implement the goals of Montgomery County’s comprehensive plan — Montco 2040 — were announced Thursday.
This is the second round of funding for the 2016 program cycle. Thursday’s grant awards account for $358,300 and increase the total amount of grants given to $964,740 out of the available $1 million program budget.
The county has received 19 applications, totaling $2 million in requests, from municipalities during this inaugural funding year.
The program will remain open and municipalities are encouraged to submit applications, although funding will likely not be available until early in 2017 when another $1 million is added to the program.
A committee made up of Montgomery County
The program is intended to assist municipalities in making targeted physical improvements that achieve real progress toward the goals of the plan and the plan’s themes of Connected Communities, Sustainable Places, and Vibrant Economy.
Planning Commission Board Members and interdepartmental county staff will continue to meet on a monthly basis and evaluate project applications.
The program is intended to assist municipalities in making targeted physical improvements that achieve real progress toward the goals of the plan and the plan’s themes of Connected Communities, Sustainable Places, and Vibrant Economy.
Here are the grants:
Towamencin — $100,000
Towamencin will construct a multiuse trail from Trumbauer Road to Valley View Way along the Towamencin Creek through lands owned by the township and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
The trail will extend from an existing portion of multiuse trail by approximately 4,000 feet in length and include a significant stream crossing where a new bridge will be built.
This plan leverages the work being done simultaneously on a municipal sewer project to complete both together and save the township money in the process.
This project is consistent with specific goals set forth in Towamencin’s Park, Recreation, and Open Space Preservation Plan to create a trail connection between Trumbauer Road Bridge and Valley View Way.
Schwenksville — $18,300
Schwenksville will work with artist Teresa Haag to design and create a mural on the north side of the Sabo apartment building located along Main Street.
The location will be highly visible from both Main Street and the Perkiomen Trail and have a significant impact on the Main Street streetscape.
This project is consistent with specific goals to create murals or art installations along Main Street in three separate plans: The 2010 Schwenksville Revitalization Plan, Main Street Streetscaping Plan, and the Central Perkiomen Regional Comprehensive Plan Update.
Conshohoken — $120,000
Conshohocken will retrofit the parking area at Sutcliffe Park between Wood and Freedley Streets through the installation of green parking elements.
The site will employ stormwater management measures to better control runoff and promote groundwater recharge through the use of decorative pavers and a rain garden.
The green parking lot will also have environmental education signs, complete pedestrian connections to the park, provide ADA parking and accessibility, and promote waste disposal and recycling. The borough’s Community Revitalization Plan Update specifically cites the concerns of residents near the park as it relates to parking and stormwater management.
Narberth — $40,000
Narberth will install a series of bio-infiltration facilities along the southern edge of Windsor Avenue adjacent to Narberth Park.
The project will include shade tree pits, a spillway for excess water during rain events, and a vegetated rain garden. The site is meant to be a demonstration of stormwater management practices for other property owners in the area to help to influence better stormwater management techniques on private property.
Educational signs will be provided in partnership with the Lower Merion Conservancy. The county’s grant supplements funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the William Penn Foundation to positively impact water quality in the DarbyCobbs Watershed.
Lower Pottsgrove — $80,000
The township has plans to construct a green parking lot in an existing overflow parking area at Gerald Richards Park on Buchert Road.
The new parking area will have 60 stabilized turf parking spaces, a 12-footwide asphalt drive aisle, and a vegetated rain garden, will significantly reduce runoff and erosion while increasing parking efficiency and access to park facilities.
Stormwater elements constructed by this project will improve long-term durability of site improvements while showcasing sustainable stormwater practices designed to enhance water quality.
The Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Comprehensive Plan 2015 specifically references the development of a stormwater management plan to improve playing conditions at the park.
Visit www.montcopa.org/Montco2040GrantProgram for more on the Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program.